Don’t miss this event held at European Parliament on October 1st and organized by our friends (and Commons Transition partner project) in the Commons Network, along with the Green Group and the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

The Green Group, The Commons Network and the Heinrich Böll Foundation brings you the most relevant conference of the year: Internet as a Commons: Public Space in the Digital Age.

Here we will explore the need for a comprehensive new narrative for the Internet. A narrative that frames Internet as a common good, accessible by all, and managed by a plurality of actors in a way benefitting society at large. In other words: as a Commons.

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS

• Renata Avila
• Aral Balkan
• Olivier Schulbaum
• Edmon Chong

BACKGROUND

The Internet has become an important part of our global public sphere. Internet provides access to a wealth of information and knowledge, and the possibility to participate, create and communicate. This public space made up of internet infrastructures is increasingly threatened from two sides; by the centralization and commercialization through the dominant positions held by giant telecom and Internet companies, as well as by an increasing trend in state regulation and censorship of the net. This poses important questions about how we choose to organize and regulate our digital societies, and how Internet governance models can be developed and implemented to ensure fair and democratic participation.

When it comes to the future of the Internet, a key discussion is one of infrastructures; who owns, runs and controls them. The question of regulation, and who oversees the regulators, is made complicated by the transnational nature of the net.
The debates around net neutrality, infrastructure neutrality and Internet monopolies reflect the important choices that are to be made. It is essential the EU formulates a comprehensive vision on the internet that addresses the protection of civil liberties such as free speech and privacy, but also the growing commercialization of our digital public spaces and the commodification of personal data with the effect of the market encroaching on all aspects of our daily lives. Only then can it make relevant interventions regarding the Internet and its governance.

Let´s discuss how to re-decentralize and reclaim the Internet for all.

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